Thursday, February 16, 2006

Hero or Zero

Isn’t it funny how things work out sometimes? My son Steven seemed pigeon-holed into the 3b position for our high school team as the season started. Due to a change in pitchers in an earlier game, he was sent to right-field where he made a spectacular (apologies from a proud Papa) catch I referenced in an earlier blog.

The coaches were so impressed with “the catch” (a phrase my wife used to use to describe me) they told Steven he might be playing there more often than 3b. Steven really wanted to play third but he also really wanted to “play.”

Last night at our first regular season game vs. Satellite Beach High, he started and played the whole game in right-field. He ended up with 4 or 5 put-outs including a running catch into foul territory to end the game. Yeah, we won our first game. It could be our last but for the very, very temporary moment, we’re undefeated baby! 1 and 0!

I once coached with a fellow who often spouted the very well known philosophical view that in baseball, one can go from “Hero” to “Zero” in a matter of a few moments. Last night, Steven was in the “Hero mode.

We were behind 1 to 0 in the bottom of the 5th. Our first 2 batters (4 and 5) struck out. “Zink” who was batting in the 6th hole drew a walk. Steven was batting 7th and he lined one down the left-field line. That put runners on 1st and 2nd. A passed-ball moved Zink and Steven up to 3rd and 2nd and then our #8 guy hit a single and drove Zink and Steven in to put us up 2 to 1. The smile on Steven’s face was priceless as he crossed home as the go-ahead run. The smile on the Head-Coach’s face was even broader. He coached at Satellite last year. Nothing like beating your former employer.

So there you have it sports-bloggers. We play again on Friday. Have a good day.

Steve- its baseball season!!

Comments:
Greg, How about "The Prize?"
 
I love it when pitchers and catchers report. It's like the light at the end of the off-season tunnel.

I saw the light when my team signed a hometown boy. I'm not a huge Weaver fan but it is kind of cool that I saw him pitch so often in college.
 
What fun! Sounds like Steven is making the best out of the situation.
 
How about the "hairy catch?"
 
Getting repositioned isn't always easy. Even good players struggle with it at times. It sounds like Steven may have found where he needs to be. I think it's true anyway that outfielders make more money in the bigs than infielders. Don't know that for sure. Not that it's all about the money or anyting;)
 
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